Mineirão in Belo Horizonte was officially delivered on 21 December 2012

Inscribed in Belo Horizonte’s Historical Heritage List, the Mineirão's façade has not undergone any changes in relation to the previous project, inaugurated in 1965. Even so, the external area looks different: a promenade, with 80 thousand m² and able to cater for up to 65 thousand people was built, planned to be a social co-existence space, in addition to a venue where leisure, cultural and sporting events, among others, may be staged.

The stadium’s car park has 2,925 spaces, 1,884 indoors and 255 reserved for disabled people, fire brigade and police vehicles, as well as motorbikes, bicycles and vehicles that need to load and unload. There are eight lifts and two access ramps at the stadium. The entrance is controlled by 106 electronic turnstiles. When construction works were at their peak, the project employed three thousand builders.

The pitch was lowered in 3.4 metres to enhance visibility. The 105m by 68m pitch uses a grass species specific for tropical climate, the Bermuda Celebration.

The new arena has 62,160 seats – all indoors – and 98 boxes. The panoramic restaurant overlooking the pitch is also new and with an area of 1,160 m² it is able to cater for 370 people. Journalists will also have an exclusive area for 388 professionals and 160 work stations.

There is also a 7.5 thousand m² commercial area with 47 shops. Furthermore, there are 58 bars and snack bars spread throughout all sectors. Near the bars, television screens make sure that fans do not miss one second of the match. Fifty-four lavatories cater for the general public, 15 of them in the hospitality area and ten in the external area.

Players are also well looked after. There are changing rooms for two teams on each side, which avoids teams having to share the space on days when two matches are played. Another two changing rooms were built exclusively for the referees, one for the ladies and another for the gents, as well as spaces for the teams’ technical staff, the mascot and a wardrobe room. Each of the changing rooms is equipped with closets, showers and Jacuzzis.

Portal da Copa/ME/João Marcos Rosa/Novembro de 2013

Portal da Copa/ME/João Marcos Rosa/Novembro de 2013

Portal da Copa/ME/João Marcos Rosa/Novembro de 2013

Portal da Copa/ME/João Marcos Rosa/Novembro de 2013

Safety and security

The monitoring system has 364 cameras, 170 of them fixed. The safety and security team will work with the support of the Military Police, which may have 800 officers on duty when big events are being held. Two 98 square metres LED screens on top of the goalposts will provide the public with information.

Sustainability

Sustainable practices were adopted from the beginning of the refurbishment works, back in January 2010. Around 90% of the rubble produced by the building site was reused. Another important aspect of the ground is on its roof: a plant will convert sunlight into electricity. Photovoltaic panels on the roof with 1.6 megawatt of power will convert enough energy to supply for the demand of approximately 1,200 medium sized households.

Investment and management

The project’s total cost was of R$ 666.3 million, R$ 400 million of which from federal financing. For the refurbishment, a public private partnership (PPP) was established between the Minas Gerais State Government and the Minas Arena Group, winner of the public bidding process in 2010. In addition to being in charge of the stadium's modernisation works, the group is also responsible for running the ground for 25 years. As a result of this model, the state of Minas Gerais has the role of monitoring the construction works and overseeing the stadium’s operation.

FIFA World Cup Brazil 2014

The capital city of the state of Minas Gerais shall host six World Cup matches, including one semi-final.